FAQs for Global Education

CURRICULUM & CREDITS

How do credits from an off-campus program come back to my Gordon transcript?
In all cases, grades and credit hours earned are reflected on your transcript. The grade is factored into your GPA if you are earning direct Gordon credit. To be more precise, official credit for these programs comes into the student transcript in one of two ways:

• Many programs carry direct Gordon College credit. In these cases, the transferability of the credits is transparent. It is simply listed by the Registrar.
• In other cases, the transferability of the credits is verified and accepted by the college before the student leaves for the program. This is done through a prior agreement between Gordon College and the institution awarding the credits.

So, Gordon credit is calculated into the student’s overall GPA in the transcript. However, transfer credit from any other institution is awarded, but grades are not calculated into the overall GPA.

Can I fulfill Core in study abroad?
Students are often able to earn core credit while studying abroad. Gordon’s own semester programs are designed to fulfill specific Core credits. Many approved programs have courses that have been used for Core Credit (e.g. Introduction to Theology at LCC University for Christian Theology.) Courses used for core fulfillment must be approved by the Registrar's office. See the GEO for more information.

Can I take additional courses while abroad?

Students should take the standard full-time course load as laid out by their program. If you would like to take more courses, and the program allows it, you will need approval from your advisor. Any additional costs billed to Gordon for the course overload will be charged to the student.

ADMISSION & APPLICATION

What are the GPA requirements for admission to study abroad?
Gordon requires a minimum 2.75 GPA to be considered for participation in any semester-long off-campus program. GPA requirements for admission vary from program to program, but most require a 2.75 or better. The Scholars' Semester in Oxford requires a minimum of 3.7. Most programs weigh other factors in addition to GPA. Students should go to Semester Program pages for details. Most GEO seminars require a minimum of 2.5 GPA.

How do I apply for a semester abroad? Application for semester programs is a two-step process.

1. All students wishing to study off-campus must be approved by the Global Education Office. Gordon students must submit an online seat application by:

• March 1 for all fall and spring programs.
• September 30 for Spring Orvieto or Balkans programs.

2. Then, after receiving approval from the Global Education Office, students should apply directly to their program.

How do I apply for a GEO Seminar? Deadlines and requirements vary. Go to GEO Seminar pages for details.

VISITING STUDENTS

Can students from other universities and colleges study at a Gordon international program? Gordon College accepts applications from currently enrolled college students who are members of good standing at their home college/university and to be able to agree to the College’s statement of faith and code of conduct. The College reserves the right to dismiss any student who violates expectations of conduct, scholarship, or the laws of the host country. Gordon works hard to coordinate with and support the academic commitment of its sister colleges in the CCC and CCCU.

Gordon semester programs offer students cross-cultural opportunities to invest themselves in intentional learning communities in inviting and challenging settings from the city of Zagreb, Croatia to a hill-top city in Italy. In these programs students receive skills, academic training, and a model of cross-cultural engagement that will, we hope, transform how they look at and live in the world.

What is the cost for visiting students? Students should see their off-campus programs office regarding the cost of studying abroad. Partnership arrangements may be available with your institution, which may significantly lower the costs.

How do visiting students apply? Application details are clearly laid out on each program's webpage.

Want to talk to someone about a program or have a question? Call 978.867.4399 or email [email protected]

Who should I talk to on my campus about studying abroad with Gordon? The first person to talk to is your major advisor. Talk with her/him about the courses in which you are interested and how they fit with your major, and what it would mean for you to be off-campus for a semester.

Then, go to their campus’ Global Education or Off-Campus Programs office:

Houghton College (Off-Campus Studies Office): 585.567.9634, [email protected]
Indiana Wesleyan University (Intercultural Office) 765.677.1054, [email protected]
Messiah University (Off-Campus Programs): 717.796.1800 x2131, [email protected]
Taylor University (Off-Campus Study Programs): 765.998.5106, [email protected]
Westmont College (Off-Campus Programs): 805.565.6009, [email protected]
Wheaton College (Center for Global & Experiential Learning): 630.752.7309, [email protected]

If your college isn’t listed here, don’t despair! Find your off-campus study programs office or go see your Registrar about studying at Gordon.

SAFETY & SECURITY

What about safety? Safety is on everyone’s mind these days and no one can guarantee the safety of students in these situations. However, Gordon takes every precaution possible to ensure that students are not placed in harm’s way. We do this by assuring that the following steps are in place:

• Program Approval: All of our program selections are carefully monitored and approved—not only for credit but for the student’s co-curricular experiences in housing, meals and activities.
• Monitoring and Visitation: The Global Education Office on campus keeps track of world hotspots and monitors the OSAC daily information and world situations. In most cases, GEO personnel have first-hand experiences with these program sites. Additionally, Gordon's International Risk Management Committee monitors and reviews the countries and situations into which its students are going.
• Orientation: Before students are allowed to go to programs, they are required to attend an orientation where they are made aware of safety concerns and other cultural expectations.
• Emergency Protocol: Each program operated by Gordon College has developed an emergency protocol for implementation in emergency circumstances. Other programs are also scrutinized for similar plans.

 See the Health and Safety Page for additional resources and information.